Deb McLoud to Retire at Summer's End!

Breakthrough Manchester’s 35th summer of students-teaching-students will be bittersweet as it is also Executive Director Deb McLoud’s 8th and final summer - - she will retire this fall.

Deb joined Breakthrough Manchester at The Derryfield School in August 2018. Her varied career path prepared her well for Breakthrough’s dual mission of supporting bright and motivated students from marginalized communities on their path to college, while training the next generation of college and upper-level high school students to become effective educators and work with a diverse student population. 

Deb has a strong ability to bring joy, learn, grow, and give grace, all of which she has brought to the Breakthrough program, impacting youth in Manchester. She fosters strong communities and builds impactful relationships with everyone she meets. Despite being new to the Greater Manchester community, Deb strengthened Breakthrough’s community connections and expanded the program’s network of community collaborators. In partnership with Program Director and Breakthrough alumna, Chau, Deb gracefully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, providing additional support to Breakthrough Scholars and their families. As a certified yoga and licensed Zumba instructor, Deb also enjoys leading Yoga and Zumba classes for both Breakthrough and Derryfield faculty, staff, and students, as well as at MCAC (Manchester Community Action Coalition) and the Concord YMCA. 

Passion for Mission

Haunted by the statistic that when students from a poverty background achieve a 4-year college degree, they are 96% less likely to return to poverty, Deb is passionate about educational equity. The demographics of Breakthrough’s student population present some hurdles to college matriculation:

• 68% will be the first in their family to enroll and persist through college
• 90% identify as a student of color
• 64% qualify for the free and reduced lunch program, which is a proxy measure for low income
• 32% have a non-traditional head of household - single parent, grandparent, or foster parent. (We have had students who have experienced homelessness.)
• 84% speak a language other than English in their home - there are 24 languages spoken in the BTM community!

Since 100% of Breakthrough graduates go on to higher education, with 98% going to 4-year colleges, Deb knows Breakthrough’s work is truly making a difference in the Manchester community. She works tirelessly to make this happen. When Deb cares about something, nothing gets in her way to ensure the results are positive. Deb is an incredible advocate for her students, her teachers, and her staff. She is always in your corner and will go to bat if needed or provide you with the tools to advocate for yourself. She does this with a smile on her face, a positive outlook, and a dance move to celebrate successes! Deb embodies positivity that keeps Breakthrough momentum going and the Breakthrough spirit high!

Retirement Plans

Deb’s retirement is scheduled for September 2026 to provide some crossover with Breakthrough’s new Executive Director, who will begin at the end of August. In her retirement, Deb is interested in continuing to support the Breakthrough Collaborative and other nonprofits as a consultant or through interim Director positions. Deb will continue leading Zumba and Yoga classes, and she plans to spend more time with her family and travel.

Executive Director Search

The search for Breakthrough Manchester’s next Executive Director launched in March. Details about the position and application process can be found on Breakthrough Manchester’s website.